DOSB reports record membership of over 29 million in sports clubs

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), the umbrella body for sport in Germany, reported a new record for memberships in sports clubs, with a total of more than 29 million as of 1 January 2025. The figure comes from its annual membership survey, in which member organisations report their numbers.

The result continued a recovery that began after the coronavirus pandemic. During the lockdowns and restrictions of 2020 and 2021, many clubs lost members, as training was suspended and people cancelled memberships. In the following years the numbers rose again and passed the pre-pandemic level.

The figures count memberships rather than individual people, so someone who belongs to two clubs is counted twice. The DOSB presented the record as a sign of the continued importance of club sport in Germany, while also pointing to challenges such as a shortage of volunteers, ageing facilities and rising costs. The 29 million mark became the baseline against which the later milestone of 30 million memberships was measured.